As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Heng froze on the spot.
He looked at Xu Yuqin, instinctively wanting to retort, his mouth opened but froze in mid-air, and finally slowly closed.
When did you find out?
"A few months ago, during that attack by the Calamity Beast," Xu Yuqin said.
"That time..." Shen Heng frowned and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Was it because the person who came to pick you up afterwards wasn't acting naturally, making you suspicious?"
"This..." Xu Yuqin was taken aback, and the image of the person who said they lived nearby and were required by their work unit to fill the vehicle before leaving came to flash. "Was that also arranged by you?"
"It wasn't my arrangement. There are relevant regulations that stipulate that in special circumstances, the relevant departments will prioritize the safety of relatives," Shen Heng said calmly.
"So, you really are a member of the Supervision Bureau?" Xu Yuqin asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Shen Heng looked at his mother and slowly nodded, "Mm."
After saying that, he looked at Xu Yuqin and continued to ask:
"So, how did you know that?"
Xu Yuqin said:
"That day, Calamity Beast from the opposite residential area went by. The police rushed over, but it seemed they couldn't defeat it, and their car was overturned."
"After that, I thought they were all going to be killed by the Calamity Beast, but unexpectedly a girl saved them."
"Later, when she left, I realized that the girl was Gu Nan."
"I see."
Shen Heng let out a soft breath and looked at the trees beside him.
He considered the broadcast's sound quality and the circumstances of picking people up, but this was something he genuinely hadn't considered at the time.
"So, you're leaving this time because of the nuclear explosion that's been all over the internet these past two days?" Xu Yuqin looked at Shen Heng and asked again.
Shen Heng turned his gaze back and nodded, saying, "Yes, I'm on a business trip these past two days, going to Capital for a meeting to discuss this matter."
"What's wrong? Why do we have to go somewhere else?" Xu Yuqin asked worriedly.
Shen Heng pondered for a moment, then said:
Simply put, our current world has several special passages connecting it to the Ruins Realm.
"Right now, the Ruins Realm is attempting to invade through that passage."
"So, we need to go over there and block them, to prevent them from coming over."
"So, we're going to have a war with the Ruins Realm?" Xu Yuqin asked.
"Yes, you could say that."
"Does that mean everyone in the Supervision Bureau has to go?"
"No, two or three from each city is enough."
"Why don't you send your chief and others instead?"
Shen Heng paused for a moment, then looked at Xu Yuqin and said:
"I am the director of the Linhai City Supervision Bureau."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Yuqin's eyes widened slightly.
She looked at Shen Heng with a hint of disbelief and asked for confirmation:
"You said... you're the director of our Linhai Supervision Bureau?"
Shen Heng slowly nodded. "Mm."
Xu Yuqin's pupils contracted slightly.
Despite receiving confirmation from Shen Heng, she still felt a sense of disbelief.
In the past two years, the existence of the Ruins Realm and the Calamity Beast has undoubtedly been the biggest news stories in the world.
Even if you're not a martial artist, or even if you have no interest in martial arts, you'll inevitably talk about related matters in your daily life.
This is something that no one, from the very elderly to women and children, can avoid.
Clearly, Xu Yuqin is one of them.
Of course, what she heard more often was about whose child in the neighborhood had gone to learn martial arts, and what others were saying about how many people had died in different places.
As for news related to the Supervision Bureau, she hadn't heard much, but she knew more or less about it.
The Supervision Bureau can access a wide range of resources.
At times, he could even be considered the highest-ranking official in the area.
Whether it's the police station, various government departments, or big bosses, everyone has to listen to them in the face of disaster.
And now she's being told that the head of this city... is standing right in front of her?
"Are you... telling the truth?" Xu Yuqin asked, still somewhat incredulous.
"Hmm, do I look like I'm lying to you?" Shen Heng looked at Xu Yuqin calmly.
Seeing Shen Heng's serious expression, Xu Yuqin somewhat absentmindedly looked away.
"So, is it absolutely necessary to go this time?"
"Yes, I definitely have to go." Shen Heng nodded slowly and added:
"Even now, it's only because ordinary soldiers are blocking the way that we have time to come back and deal with some cleanup."
"Would that be dangerous?" Xu Yuqin asked worriedly.
Shen Heng paused for a moment, then replied, "I can't be sure either, but I'm afraid it's not entirely safe."
"Promise Mom something." Xu Yuqin suddenly raised her hand and grabbed Shen Heng's wrist. "If... if we really encounter danger, don't be reckless."
Shen Heng looked at Xu Yuqin, feeling the slight trembling in his wrist, and slowly nodded. "Yes, I understand."
Realizing that the situation was beyond repair, Xu Yuqin slowly lowered her hand.
The mother and son walked towards home again.
On the way, Xu Yuqin asked to confirm her previous guess.
" Xiao Heng, did you join the Supervision Bureau before you even graduated?"
"Mm," Shen Heng nodded in response.
"Wasn't the news about the Ruins Realm not announced yet at that time?" Xu Yuqin asked doubtfully.
"Back then, I encountered a dying Calamity Beast on the road, and I killed it. After awakening my abilities, I joined the Supervision Bureau."
"How could there be a dying Calamity Beast?"
"It looks like he was injured and barely managed to escape."
"If that's the case, why didn't you tell Mom?"
"Back then, there were regulations in the bureau to keep things confidential. I was afraid you would worry if I told you what happened later, so I kept it from you."
Shen Heng paused here, then turned to look at Xu Yuqin and said:
"I originally thought you would strongly object to it after finding out."
Xu Yuqin turned to look at Shen Heng, and said with a serious expression:
"Mom hopes you and Xiao Ning will be safe and sound, but Mom also knows that some things have to be done by someone."
"You're the bureau chief; if you don't go, someone else has to go."
"Other people's children are also their parents' precious children; there's no reason for anyone to stand in front of someone else's shoes."
As she spoke, she sighed softly and gave a heavy, weighty entrustment:
"Mom has only one request, as I just mentioned... When it really comes down to risking your life, think more about yourself, and think about Mom too."
"Being able to come back safely is the most important thing."
Shen Heng looked at Xu Yuqin in silence for a moment, then looked away and nodded again, promising:
"Yes, I understand."
"By the way, does Xiao Ning know that you work for the Supervision Bureau?" Xu Yuqin asked.
Shen Heng's lips twitched slightly.
"Uh, her..."